Volunteer Searchers Suspicious of Adkins in Dunn Disappearance
By: Tiffany Tatro and Austin Kellerman
Updated: January 13, 2011
Authorities say they're now extremely focused on the criminal side of the case.
Scurry County law enforcement and volunteers scoured fields searching for clues in the disappearance of 13-year-old Hailey Dunn. Thursday marks the 17th day since the Colorado City teen vanished.
While many searchers were willing to speak, others told KTAB's Tiffany Tatro they feared possible retaliation from Shawn Adkins. Adkins has been labeled a "person of interest" and is the boyfriend of Hailey's mother Billie Dunn.
"Shawn's across the street watching us," said volunteer searcher Holly Jenkins. "I just have this motherly intuition."
Jenkins is from Midland and vows to stay searching in the community of Dunn until Hailey is found. She says she was shocked to hear the findings of search warrant affidavits.
"It still saddens me that Hailey was subjected to this type of lifestyle. I just hope that it means nothing," Jenkins told Tatro.
"I'm not feeling to well about the mother or the boyfriend right now," said Freda Radcliff, another volunteer searcher.
Radcliff said she was initially optimistic and hopeful. However, new developments have changed all that.
"I think it's going to be a horrible outcome," said Radcliff. "The fact that she said she could be found in Scurry County and that they should be looking at both of them. They've done something to her."
Despite her gut feeling, Radcliff says she and other searchers will still focus on their mission.
"I'm here for Hailey. That's the only person that I'm here for," said Radcliff.
"She's a little girl who needs all of us," added Jenkins. "We all should be out here helping."
Officials now say the information that leads to Hailey's safe return is $15,000. They previously estimated much higher at $25,000.
